In the WNBA universe, rookies burst onto the scene like shooting stars in a summer night sky—dazzling, unpredictable and occasionally leaving defenders grasping at thin air. As the dust settles on the 2024 draft, we’re left with a rookie class that’s as promising as a freshly opened box of chocolates: you never quite know what you’re gonna get, but you’re definitely in for a sweet ride. From ankle-breaking crossovers to clutch three-pointers that make you question the laws of physics, these newcomers are ready to make their mark. So grab your popcorn, folks, because we’re about to unveil the rookie superlatives that’ll have you cheering louder than a courtside fan with a megaphone and a bottomless supply of unbridled enthusiasm. Let the games begin!
A couple of caveats before we jump in: I’m doing this exercise well before team rosters are set. Cuts, signings and trades are still possibilities. Additionally, I put a lot of weight on team context in my analysis, so even though there may be a better quality player for the selection, the team context will outweigh that. Most importantly, for the sake of the exercise, I am also assuming each rookie makes their respective roster.
I now present to you the 2024 Rookie Class Superlatives!
Most likely to lead the class in points — Caitlin Clark
I promise I won’t pick Clark for every selection, even if it makes the most sense. Clark’s inclusion here is purely team context. Clark will start every game with the Indiana Fever if she’s healthy, and on a team that is desperate for more backcourt shooting, Clark should have every opportunity to run the pick-and-roll with Aliyah Boston or simply shoot from whichever sponsor’s logo may be present at halfcourt. No one in this draft class can score like Clark. If she’s healthy and gets the requisite playing time, which everyone expects her to get, she should be able to walk away with this award with ease.
Having said that, who else from the draft may challenge Clark? Rickea Jackson finds herself in an incredibly cushy spot in Los Angeles, where she faces competition for playing time that’s more quantity than quality. If she has a strong camp, she should earn a similar role Jordan Horston earned for herself in Seattle last season. Alissa Pili of the Minnesota Lynx is another possibility. She showed her explosive offensive ability in college, and on another team that needs backcourt scoring in the Lynx, Pili can earn her way to consistent minutes and a chance to win the rookie scoring title.
Most likely to be the best defender — Kamilla Cardoso
Call it lazy, but this pick makes a lot of sense. Cardoso was a standout defensive force in college at the University of South Carolina, with her 6’7’’ size, athleticism and ranginess to track down would-be shooters. Cardoso will need time to expand her offensive game, but the Chicago Sky have all the time in the world to give her the minutes to let that happen. They may decide early on to let Cardoso be the defensive force while Angel Reese takes care of the offense as they figure out their spacing together. If that’s so, Cardoso can patrol the paint and be a dominating presence against any team.
She may struggle against some of the bigger and more physically punishing bigs in the league, but there’s no player more adept to defend at an immediately high level in this draft class quite like Cardoso.
Most likely to play the most minutes — Jacy Sheldon
Okay, hear me out. Last season, first-year head coach Latricia Trammell played her Dallas Wings’ bench for the fewest minutes in the league. Trammell also was known for riding with her veterans. Sheldon has one of the cleanest and most natural fits on her new team of this draft class, and if she can show out in training camp and earn the starting role next to Arike Ogunbowale, there’s a very solid chance Sheldon will squeak by Clark for most minutes.
Most likely to make the most three-pointers — Caitlin Clark
I’ll just leave you with this clip of every three-pointer Clark took in her final collegiate season. Nuff said.
Every Three Pointer from Caitlin Clark’s 2023-2024 Season
Most likely to make the All-Star Game (or come closest) — Cameron Brink
Let’s be real—I think we all agree this is Clark, but it’s no fun if we just assume she’s going to be the best at everything from this draft class. So, I’m going with Brink, who too has a really good landing spot in Los Angeles. Brink has the chance to start from opening night, and if she’s able to learn quickly to avoid the foul troubles that plagued her so severely at Stanford, she could be in for a big season.
This isn’t to say she’ll make the All-Star squad, but I think if Brink’s able to earn starter’s minutes right away, she can put up as big of numbers as anyone not named Caitlin Clark in this draft.
Most likely to make the All-Rookie Team — Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Nika Mühl, Jacy Sheldon
I have to go with team context and who I expect to not only earn minutes but also produce. I feel like Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese might struggle a bit early on with spacing in Chicago. Pili may not get the minutes early on to allow her to find consistency. Aaliyah Edwards may get starter’s minutes in Washington by Father’s Day, but she isn’t likely to be a top offensive option this early in her career.
Of the players most likely to make their teams, earn playing time and possibly even start, these five are the most likely to earn All-Rookie honors.
Most likely to surprise (non-first-round edition) — Helena Pueyo
I know, I know. Most second-rounders don’t make their squad’s team and are left to fill hardship contracts once the season begins. But every year it seems one player from this late in the draft makes their team, and while I feel Dyaisha Fair could realistically make the Las Vegas Aces’ roster, Pueyo seems as good a chance as any to surprise on the Connecticut Sun.
Pueyo was a somewhat underrated player coming out of Arizona, and most of that might be attributed to the difficulty the nation had in being able to watch her. Her numbers may not jump off the page, but she is an experienced and hardworking player who will likely capture the eye of head coach Stephanie White.
I’m not saying she’s going to earn starter’s minutes, but Pueyo could really impress in camp and earn rotational minutes on a backcourt that’s a bit more in flux than I think people realize.
Best non-lottery fit on new team — Nika Mühl
It was to some surprise Nika Mühl dropped as far as she did on draft night. Maybe it was recency bias, but many believed she earned her way to a first-round draft selection. Technically, she only missed the round by two selections and was an early second-round pickup for the Seattle Storm.
Forget the Sue Bird comparisons—I’m already sick of hearing them. Mühl is an incredibly smart and tough player who will bring some added grit and youthful exuberance to a team that got veteran-heavy quickly in the offseason. The Storm need a floor general to work alongside Skylar Diggins-Smith, who to me works better off-ball. If Mühl earns the lion’s share of minutes at the point guard spot, she should fit in tremendously well with Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, Horston and the rest of the squad.
Most likely to make their team’s roster (non-lottery edition) — Kaylynne Truong
If we’re playing the numbers and know that it is nearly impossible for a third-rounder to make the squad. We also know most of the non-lottery first-rounders this year were draft-and-stashers: players teams own the rights to but aren’t likely to play this season due to injury or overseas commitments. Therefore, this comes down to someone in the second round. My pick is Truong, who had a very serviceable career coming out of Gonzaga.
Washington is in a transitional phase and is hurting for a floor general to run the offense. I’ve said multiple times that leaving Brittney Sykes to run the offense limits what she can do, so getting a true facilitator will offer this team more offensive flexibility. Truong may not be the long-term solution, but general manager Mike Thibault is a smart individual who knows how to find treasure where it’s least expected. Look for Truong to get an extended look in camp and earn a spot on the Mystics in 2024.
Most likely to earn a starting role as the season goes on — Aaliyah Edwards
This one’s more challenging since most draftees are either near-locks to start or are to be stashed, so it’s hard to identify which player this might be.
I want to go with Alissa Pili, but I believe head coach Cheryl Reeve isn’t going to want her starting right away unless she blows people away during camp.
I don’t love the choice, but I don’t feel like I can find anyone better. Edwards may even start from Jump Street, but should she not, I feel she’ll work her way into head coach Eric Thibault’s starting rotation very quickly, especially since the Mystics are essentially punting on 2024 anyway.
Most likely to make an All-WNBA Team (not the All-Rookie one) — Caitlin Clark
Making an All-WNBA team as a rookie is incredibly difficult, reserved for the generational talents who managed to adjust to heightened expectations and quality of play. Boston showed the prowess to do so last season, and if anyone in this draft class can make that leap too, it’s Clark.
I expect Clark to struggle to some degree early as she adjusts, but she will have a strong season that will likely see her come close or even eclipse the award.
Most likely to win Rookie of the Year (non-Clark edition) — Rickea Jackson
The fit, opportunity and expectations all favor Jackson, who should be a fantastic two-way player right away in the league. Sure, she’ll have her moments, but Jackson is a polished wing who should shine amongst the best of the best in the 2024 class. If this isn’t going to Clark for whatever reason, Jackson is my pick.
